Five major psychiatric disorders share several common genetic risk factors,
according to a study into mental health published today.

Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, major
depressive disorder and schizophrenia have genetic links that could offer
pathways to treatments, the study suggests. It also raises the possibility
that the disorders may be reclassified on the basis of causes rather than
the descriptive syndromes, bringing the treatment of mental health into line
with physical health. Published in The Lancet, it is the largest
genetic study of psychiatric illness, based on 33,000 patients.